Global partnerships and collaboration

As a world leader in meteorological and climate services, we understand that we have an important role to play in the global community.

We encourage the use of our climate change predictions and services on an international scale. Our science is widely respected and can be used by governments worldwide to plan for and adapt to the environmental changes to come, as well as progress social and economical development.

Voluntary Co-operation Programme

The Voluntary Co-operation Programme (VCP) is run by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Its main purpose is to support national meteorological and hydrological services in developing countries in the form of equipment, services and training.

The aim is to improve their capacity to forecast the weather and climate do that they can better deal with weather events, climate-related impacts natural disasters; ultimately aiding sustainable development.

Supporting disaster relief efforts

We are keen to assist charities and other meteorological organisations to assist in disaster relief.

Our forecasts mean that contingency plans can be put into action.

When Hurricane Tomas hit Haiti in November 2010, we sent forecasts to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, various charities and National Meteorological Services around the world.

In March 2011 our forecasts were used to support the UK government and relief charities in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

Our international charity - WaterAid

In early 2013, WaterAid was chosen by staff members, to be our corporate charity. This partnership will last until 2015. Over the coming years, we not only aim to raise money for this incredibly important charity but also awareness of its vital work within some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.

Archive

ShelterBox

Previously the Met Office's corporate charity was ShelterBox. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity and is supported by Rotary International.

The aim is to provide 'aid in a box' to families left without shelter by natural disasters or conflict. To date we have raised around £10,000 for the charity.

Each box costs £490 with the contents tailored so that it is appropriate for the region affected. A typical box contains a tent, cooking equipment, blankets and even colouring books for children.

As well as financial assistance we provided weather forecasts so that the charity could anticipate need. In August 2010 Pakistan was devastated by torrential monsoon rains. ShelterBox had been briefed to expect these conditions and 1,800 ShelterBoxes were pre-positioned in July. 10,000 people were provided with shelter within 48 hours of the first floods.